Tues-Wed | Jan. 30-31
Embracing Failures Serves as a Catalyst to SuccessDrawing from both the profession and the sport that he loves, 2017-2018 STS President Richard L. Prager, MD encouraged attendees of his Presidential Address on Monday to “see their realities” and to “make seeing and knowledge continuous with each other.” READ MORE
Keith S. Naunheim Elected 2018-2019 STS PresidentSaint Louis University surgeon will focus on health care delivery and reimbursement
Cardiothoracic surgeon Keith S. Naunheim, MD, from the Saint Louis University (SLU) Medical Center, was elected by the STS membership yesterday evening as the Society’s 2018-2019 President.
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Three Honored for Remarkable Dedication to STSDistinguished Service Award recognizes commitment to the Society and the specialty
STS honored three respected and extraordinary contributors with its 2018 Distinguished Service Award, presented yesterday evening at the Annual Membership (Business) Meeting.
READ MORE- New Officers, Directors ElectedIn addition to electing Keith S. Naunheim, MD as the Society’s new President, STS members elected several new officers and directors yesterday evening. READ MORE
Ferguson Lecture Highlights Health Care ReformNot one, but two speakers have been chosen for the Thomas B. Ferguson Lecture, which will be presented on Tuesday morning. READ MORE
Critical Care Pioneer to Give Lillehei LectureThe 2018 C. Walton Lillehei lecturer will be Robert H. Bartlett, MD, a ground-breaking and internationally recognized medical researcher, surgeon, and professor. He will give a talk on “The History and Evolution of ECMO.” READ MORE
Debate Continues on Key Issues for Treating Bicuspid Aortic ValvesAs the treatment of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease evolves, the cardiothoracic surgery community remains split on key issues, such as remodeling versus reimplantation for BAV associated with aortic insufficiency and root aneurysm, as well as the indication for resection in BAV aortopathy. READ MORE- Survey Reveals Key Traits Sought in MentorsMentorship in cardiothoracic surgical training has an important influence on personal development, career selection, advancement, and productivity. Despite its importance, mentorship has remained uncharacterized, and its specific role among residents has not previously been assessed adequately. READ MORE
- European and North American Strategies Differ for Controversial ProceduresLevel 1 evidence is often missing in cardiothoracic surgical practice, due to a lack of controlled trials. As a result, standard treatment and management may vary between continents. READ MORE
Options for Aortic Valve Replacement Vary in Younger PatientsAortic valve replacement is one of the most common open heart procedures performed by cardiothoracic surgeons. Although the choice of approach is fairly standard for patients older than 70 years, the best approach for younger patients is less clear. READ MORE- Data Indicate Improved Outcomes Using LVADsThe use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) is increasing, not only as a bridge to transplant but also as destination therapy. This has generated a growing clinical and academic interest in mechanical circulatory support and the treatment of patients with these devices. READ MORE
Put Knowledge into Practice at STS UniversityCap off your Annual Meeting experience by attending STS University on Wednesday morning. These hands-on courses allow attendees to gain experience with a wide variety of cardiothoracic surgical procedures. Expert instructors will work closely with small groups, providing the opportunity for ample questions and individual instruction. READ MORE- Presenters Meet the Media in STS Press ConferencesThe Society will host three press conferences on Tuesday highlighting some of the exciting research being presented at the STS 54th Annual Meeting. The press conferences will take place at 10:00 a.m. in Room 208. READ MORE
Mon | Jan. 29
Diversity in Cardiothoracic Surgery Workforce Benefits Patients, ProfessionalsAn important new session offered this morning will address the role of diversity and inclusion in the cardiothoracic surgery workforce and explore why physicians who are underrepresented in medicine are important for the optimal delivery of cardiothoracic surgical care. READ MORE
‘Shark Tank’ Pitches Address Unmet NeedsThe growing prevalence of cardiovascular disease and advances in technology have led to exponential growth in the cardiothoracic device market. Three physician-innovators are hoping to be part of that burgeoning market and pitched their cutting-edge products and novel devices during yesterday afternoon’s STS/AATS Tech-Con Joint Session: Robotic Cardiothoracic Innovations and “Shark Tank”—Rapid-Fire Pitches of Revolutionary Technology. READ MORE
Chamberlain Papers Represent the Best in New ResearchEnhanced recovery after surgery, regionalization of congenital heart surgery centers, and surgical atrial fibrillation ablation are the focus of this year’s prestigious J. Maxwell Chamberlain Memorial Papers. READ MORE- Clark Papers Spotlight Three STS National Database StudiesThe STS National Database has contributed to scores of research studies that advance quality and patient safety in cardiothoracic surgery. Three such studies—considered as the best submitted for the 2018 Annual Meeting—have been designated as this year’s Richard E. Clark Memorial Papers. READ MORE
Toolkit for Innovation Safely Guides CT Surgeons in New TechnologyInnovation in the clinical setting can improve the patient experience. While it can be challenging to introduce new tools and techniques into a practice, efficient navigation of potential stumbling blocks is possible. READ MORE
Collaborative Approach to Cardiac Care Benefits Complex PatientsThe team approach to caring for patients with heart disease can be controversial, but it has become essential in treating today’s patients, who often have multiple comorbidities and can present unique challenges. READ MORE- Reimbursement Changes Require Better Reporting from SurgeonsCardiothoracic surgeons spend years learning and honing skills related to surgery, but most spend relatively little time studying the business side of medicine. That may be about to change. New reimbursement rules are forcing changes in the day-to-day activities of surgeons who must now place more emphasis on documentation, coding, and data collection. READ MORE
- Shifting Medicare Payment Program Emphasizes Quality PerformancePhysician payments are undergoing a sea change as payers seek to reward quality over volume. In particular, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) made significant changes to the way physicians are paid under the Medicare program. READ MORE
- Late-Breaking Abstracts Session TodayDon’t miss a special late-breaking session added to the educational program this afternoon. READ MORE
- Learn How to Improve Accuracy in Your ManuscriptsThe publication of research using national databases has risen exponentially over the past decade. Unfortunately, methodological mistakes are common when preparing manuscripts and interpreting results. READ MORE
- Novel Strategies Can Help Manage N2 Disease in NSCLC PatientsImmunotherapy using new PD-1 receptors and other markers may help prevent a systemic reoccurrence of N2 disease in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to Robert J. Cerfolio, MD, MBA, from NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center. READ MORE
- STS National Database Enables Extensive ResearchThe STS National Database is a valuable tool for quality improvement and research, and research utilizing the Database has grown exponentially in recent years. STS offers researchers various options for using these data, depending on the scale of the project and the questions posed by researchers. READ MORE
- Learn How to Advocate for the SpecialtySTS Key Contacts are the lifeblood of the Society’s advocacy efforts. Key Contacts meet with their elected officials in Washington, provide facility tours at home, and do much more to advocate for legislative and regulatory issues that affect cardiothoracic surgeons and their patients. READ MORE
- Ethics Debate Explores Postoperative CoverageMore smaller or remote health care facilities are requesting assistance from cardiothoracic surgeons at major hospitals, leading to controversy over what happens when the cardiothoracic surgeon leaves. Oftentimes, patient care is transferred to a less experienced general surgeon. During the Ethics Debate, two cardiothoracic surgeons will explore the pros and cons of this practice. READ MORE
- Symposium Highlights Techniques to Manage Heart InfectionsInfectious heart disease, especially as a result of the current opioid epidemic, is on the rise among young adults. At the International Symposium, surgeons from around the world will explain their approaches to dealing with these infections, the central challenges they face, and the ethical disease management dilemmas related to infectious heart disease in young adults. READ MORE
Sat-Sun | Jan. 27-28
STS 2018 BeginsWelcome to the STS 54th Annual Meeting! I am thrilled to welcome you to Fort Lauderdale for this preeminent educational event in cardiothoracic surgery.
The STS Annual Meeting will be packed with interactive learning on hot topics. Over the next 5 days, you’ll experience thought-provoking lectures from renowned faculty and guests, exciting hands-on learning, an abundance of networking opportunities, and a chance to view the latest products and services in the specialty.
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Get the Most Out of the Annual MeetingWhether it’s your first time attending the STS Annual Meeting or your 20th, making the most of your time in Fort Lauderdale will require planning and a good dose of flexibility. Three veteran meeting attendees share their best advice to help you maximize your experience.
“Planning your schedule at the meeting can be a challenge,” said Robbin G. Cohen, MD, MMM, Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. “It’s true that you have to juggle in order to see the things that interest you, and you can’t always attend everything you want to.”
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Changing Patient Population Drives Critical Care SymposiumThe definition of a “traditional” cardiothoracic surgery patient is evolving. As patients become older and more frail, the strategies to ensure good outcomes and handle issues that arise postoperatively are changing.
“Clinicians need to be up-to-date on the elements of care for these patients, who are more complex and have more comorbidities,” said moderator Rakesh C. Arora, MD, of the University of Manitoba and St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, Canada.
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STS Staff Welcomes You to Fort LauderdaleOn behalf of the Society’s staff, I join STS President Rich Prager in welcoming you to The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 54th Annual Meeting and Exhibition in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. As in the past, the Annual Meeting will provide you with a wide range of educational, networking, and social offerings.
Because there is so much to experience between Saturday and Wednesday, this STS Meeting Bulletin will help you keep track of what’s happening and provide up-to-date information about new sessions, meeting room locations, exhibitor descriptions, and much more.
READ MORE- New Session Focuses on Diversity in CT Surgery
Recognizing the growing diversity of cardiothoracic surgery patients and the population at large, the Society’s Special Ad Hoc Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion has designed a new session to address the role of diversity and inclusion in the cardiothoracic surgery workforce and explore why physicians who are underrepresented in medicine are important for the optimal delivery of cardiothoracic surgical care.
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Video-Based Sessions Offer Dynamic LearningVideo-based learning is gaining momentum as a preferred learning medium across many disciplines, including cardiothoracic surgery. Instructional videos have proven to be better than textbooks for showing technical nuances of challenging operations. See how dynamic and effective video-based learning can be during three sessions on Sunday that will focus solely on videos within adult cardiac, general thoracic, and congenital heart surgery.
READ MORE- Session Explores Primary Causes of Sudden Cardiac Death
Although relatively infrequent, the two primary causes of sudden cardiac death—hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA)—can be difficult to manage. Surgeons often have difficulty mastering reproducible techniques that maximize benefits and minimize risk.
READ MORE - Learn How to Navigate the Paradigm Shift in Health Care
Changes in technology and business practices have transformed the delivery of health care. This year’s Practice Management Summit will arm cardiothoracic surgeons with the information that they need to succeed in this evolving environment.
READ MORE - Experts Explore Innovations in Multidisciplinary Care
Collaboration among members of the multidisciplinary health care team has never been more important. And while allied health professionals have made significant contributions to performance improvement and research, forums to discuss these findings have been limited.
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Mingle Oceanside at the President’s ReceptionNetwork with STS surgeon leaders and fellow meeting attendees at the President’s Reception on Sunday evening. This high-profile event will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on an oceanfront terrace at the luxurious Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa. READ MORE- Review STS University Lecture Material OnlineSTS University courses feature only hands-on learning. No didactic lectures will be given during the activity, so attendees are encouraged to view the lectures online prior to Wednesday morning. READ MORE
- Claim Continuing Medical Education CreditThe STS 54th Annual Meeting utilizes an entirely electronic evaluation and CME/Perfusion CEU credit claim process. Both physicians and perfusionists can use this system to claim credit, complete evaluations, and print CME/Perfusion CEU certificates. READ MORE
- CT Surgery Residents Prepare to Win Jeopardy Title
Cardiothoracic surgery residents from Europe and the United States will face off Sunday evening in the ultimate cognitive challenge—the STS Cardiothoracic Surgery Jeopardy Championship.
READ MORE - Thank You
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons gratefully acknowledges the following companies for providing educational grants for the STS 54th Annual Meeting.
READ MORE - Learning Opportunities Available in the Exhibit Hall
Exhibiting companies and others will present talks and demonstrations in the Learning Lab Theater, located in the Exhibit Hall at Booth 1736.
READ MORE - Hear from Experts at Industry-Sponsored Satellite Activities
Satellite activities are programs offered by industry and held in conjunction with the STS 54th Annual Meeting. They are not developed or sponsored by STS.
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